Scoring and Lift/Clean/Place in the Fairway

[Billy Z]

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

[DaveP043]

5 minutes ago, Billy Z said:

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

I think that would depend largely on the maintenance level at a specific course.  The better the normal conditions, the less difference you'd see.  Could it be as much as 10% maybe for a course with pretty poor conditions?  On the other hand, if nobody played from the poor lies, but always moved the ball to a nice lie, those nice lies would get used up before very long, and it would ALL be in poor condition.

[Elmer]

46 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

 On the other hand, if nobody played from the poor lies, but always moved the ball to a nice lie, those nice lies would get used up before very long, and it would ALL be in poor condition.

I think it would help my handicap, because if there is a bad place to be on the course, my ball finds it!
I know someone who only plays from the best lie. This is why they shoot about a 5 over every round. No bad lies, no bunkers, not under or behind trees, nothing but the best spot in the fairway!

[boogielicious]

3 hours ago, Billy Z said:

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

I really don’t think it would change much. My misses aren’t from bad lies, but more poor execution.

[Vinsk]

25 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I really don’t think it would change much. My misses aren’t from bad lies, but more poor execution.

Well...except when it’s from a divot hole. Now that might make some conversation. 🤭

[Shorty]

4 hours ago, Billy Z said:

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

At my course we have had LCP (preferred lies) a lot over the last few years because of rebuilt holes and extreme weather conditions meaning fairways haven't been good. I would say that it might be as much as two shots a round - only because you're less likely to have a bare lie or be stuck in front of a tuft of grass. As far as the same deal with divots, zero. It would definitely cost you a shot or two over the course of a year, say, in a divot with a tricky pitch over a bunker where you know it's either going to be fat or thin. It would not affect handicap. You also have to remember that LCP on fairways really only has the result of changing poor fairways into decent ones - and if the course needs LCP (or preferred lies), it certainly doesn't guarantee a lie that would be as good as a normal, expected lie on a well manicured fairway. I have played courses where the worst square metre of fairway on the entire course would be better than the best square metre on entire courses in poor to average condition.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Shorty

[jlbos83]

4 hours ago, Billy Z said:

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

If nothing else, I would expect it to slow things down.  There would be a lot of "unnecessary" LCP happening, since no one would want to be at a disadvantage against their buddies.  I hope it never comes to that!

[billchao]

5 hours ago, Billy Z said:

Just for conversation, how much do you think it would change one's hc if the LCP rule were always in effect for fairway lies, as opposed to play it as it lies?

It wouldn’t affect my handicap at all.

BTW I made this it’s own topic and took it out of the rules discussion.

[StuM]

2 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I really don’t think it would change much. My misses aren’t from bad lies, but more poor execution.

I am open to being corrected, but I thought LCP was placing the ball back in the same spot, just without the mud attached to the ball.  Thus I do not see much improvement in the lie.  IE.: Will still be in a bare spot of the fairway.  Given only cleaning the ball and putting back in the same place I see very little change is score since, with the exception of bad weather causing more mud-balls, I do not see much advantage to LCP.

2 minutes ago, StuM said:

I am open to being corrected, but I thought LCP was placing the ball back in the same spot,

OK, I did a little research & I guess I was wrong.  I see where often you are given a distance similar to a score card when re-placing the ball, so I guess you could improve it slightly.

[Double Mocha Man]

22 minutes ago, StuM said:

I see where often you are given a distance similar to a score card when re-placing the ball, so I guess you could improve it slightly.

That's why I carry an 8 foot scorecard.  To match those giant checks they give out at tournaments...

[David in FL]

Not at all.